Confindence Booster

Last place team. Pitchers ballpark. Could these factors help a struggling Brett Myers? However, the Nationals have had the Phillies number over the last few years.

The outcome looked good for the Phillies and Brett Myers. Myers beat the Nationals 2-1 today, earning just his fourth win of the season. And it wasn't because the offense pulled through for him.

Brett Myers pitched 7.0+ innings allowing 1 unearned run. He allowed just 4 hits, walked one, and hit 2 batters. He struck out two. Myers was firing strikes. Of his 88 pitches, 63 were strikes. Brett got ahead of hitters early in the count.

The Phillies scored their only 2 runs on a 2 run homerun by Chase Utley in the third inning off Collin Balester. It was Utley's first homerun since early July. Balester pitched 6 quality innings, only giving up the 2 runs, while striking out 5.

The only trouble Myers got into was in the eighth inning. After a single by Paul LoDuca, Felipe Lopez hit into a dead double play ball. However Utley booted the ball, leaving the runners safe all around with no outs. The bullpen would come in and get out of the jam, letting only one inherited runner score. Brad Lidge would pick up his 25th consecutive save.

The outing by Brett Myers today was a breath of fresh air to the Phillies and their fans. This is the type of outing that could help give Myers his confidence back, and throw the way he is capable of. He left the game with a smile on his face. It's been a while since we've seen that.

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